Ram adjusting and clamping means for shapers



Jan. 25, 1955 G. DAVENPORT ETAL RAM ADJUSTING AND CLAMPING MEANS FOR SHAPERS 2 She'ets-Sheet 1 Filed July 15, 1953 lllll lu l l l I I l l l l I I NdE INVENTORS GRANGER DAVENPORT By GHARLES.A.PQEKEL A? TORNEY Jan. 25, 1955 5. DAVENPORT ET AL 2,700,325

RAM ADJUSTING AND CLAMPING MEANS FOR SHAPERS Filed July 15, 195s 2 Shets-Sheet 2 mm mm 5 Nm moE .n mm. IMA. F f mm mm 3 3 mm 4 v u ,V mm M mm on 2 RH E o \A. WMK 66 mm W 6 7 S 3 mm mm .m mm mm mm A/ v QoE 8 0 01 H w Mn i Q fi F .Q A O w d3 2 mm T mm 221 7 1 I l I III. 1. wv 5 -f mm mm 5 Q \\M% a If mm m mu 2 owawr 2 w mE T m V ATTORNEY United States Patent RAM ADJUSTING AND CLAMPING NIEANS FOR SHAPERS Granger Davenport, Montclair, and Charles A. Poekel, West Caldwell, N. J., assignors to Gould & Eberhardt, Incorporated, Irvington, N. J., a corporation of New Jersey Application July 15, 1953, Serial No. 368,072

6 Claims. (Cl. 9039) This invention relates to clamping mechanisms for adjustable elements of machine tools and is concerned more particularly with an improved means for effecting a repositioning of the ram of a shaping machine relative to the ram actuator and a secure locking thereof in adjusted position. The invention has for a primary aim, the provision of readily adjustable means interlocking the ram and its actuator so that relative slippage of the elements is positively precluded. The invention further aims to provide an effective means for clamping the adjusting element or elements to the terminal element of the ramactuating means so that the ram itself is relieved of all clamping forces that have in other types of constructions tended to distort the ram.

A further objective of the invention is to construct a strong, rigid ram structure devoid of slots or openings in its walls and to provide within the tunnel-shaped structure a means for anchoring the ram to the terminal element of the ram-drive means and to provide means for conveniently operating the ram-adjusting mechanism from the operators usual work station adjacent the forward end of the machine.

In carrying forward the aims of the invention, sturdiness and rigidity in the ram structure is best attained by utilizing the slotless-ram principle disclosed in the patent to Zimmermann i i-2,580,497 in combination with an ixnproved means for adjustably locking the ram to its actuator. In the Zimmermann structure the terminal-block element of the ram-reciprocating train is clamped to the ram utilizing the principle of an inclined plane and a wedging action of the elements. In addition to requiring excessive forces to actuate a wedge to a position whereat clamping of the driven part is safely assured, the employment of the wedge and the necessary clamping forces develops a tendency to distort and deflect the ram structure so that it no longer retains its original accuracy and true parallelism of its guides.

By the present invention ram distortion is effectively eliminated as a disturbing factor by a construction that incorporates a substantial screw-and-nut device by which the ram and its terminal element are continuously interlocked, in combination with means operable from the forward end of the ram for actuating the screw to effect a repositioning of the ram relative to the terminal element and additional means also operable from the forward end of the ram to clamp the screw and nut together after the desired adjustment of the ram has been made. With a construction of this kind the walls and roof of the ram are not weakened by the formation of a slot therein nor are the clamping forces incident to securing the ram in adjusted position taken by or reflected in the ram structure.

Other objects and advantages will be in part indicated in the following description and in part rendered apparent therefrom in connection with the annexed drawings.

To enable others skilled in the art so fully to apprehend the underlying features hereof that they may embody the same in the various ways contemplated by this invention, drawings depicting a preferred typical construction have been annexed as a part of this disclosure and, in such drawings, like characters of reference denote corresponding parts throughout all the views of which:

Figure l of the drawings is an elevational View of a representative shaping machine embodying the invention.

Figure 2 is a plan view, more particularly of the ram, of the machine of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is an enlarged view of a shaper ram, shown "ice Figure 7 is a plan view on an enlarged scale of a form of clamp-nut stop means.

Referring more particularly to Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings the representative shaping machine illustrated comprises essentially a main base 10, an enclosed frame 11 that houses the ram-reciprocating and work-feeding transmissions indicated at 12. The frame 11 provides parallel guides 13 along its upper surface within which the ram 14 is slidingly supported and guided. The front of the frame 11 is provided with vertical guides 15 on which a cross-slide 16 is adjustably mounted. The crossslide in turn provides horizontal guides for supporting a laterally movable work-carrying table 17. The forward end of the ram is equipped with a vertically adjustable tool head 18 that mounts a suitable tool 19 adapted when reciprocated, to operate upon the work indicated at W in the usual manner.

The drive to the ram initiates with motor M which, through a main clutch, controlled by lever 20, and suitable speed change gearing indicated in part at 12, drives a crank gear 21. The gear 21 carries a radially adjustable crank pin 22 that operates in a slot formed in a pitman lever 23 to oscillate the lever as the gear is rotated. The lower end of the lever 23 is pivoted to the main frame 11, as at 24, and its upper end, through a pivoted link 25; connects with a terminal block element 26 that normally is secured to and within the hollow ram 14.

Operation of the machine is controlled primarily by the main start-and-stop lever 20, work rapid-traverse lever 27, worktable direction lever 28, manual adjusting crank 29, and tool-feed crank handle 30, all of which are within convenient reach of the operator near this normal work station at the front of the machine.

From this same work station it is desirable that the operator be able to adjust the position of the ram with relation to the point of starting or ending of the reciprocating stroke. To achieve that result the mechanism disclosed more clearly in Figures 3-6 of the drawings is proposed. Referring to these figures the ram shown is an elongated somewhat U-shaped structure having closed sides and top and which is longitudinally open at its underside. V-shaped guides 31 are formed along its lower outer edges adapted and closely fitted to the complementary guides 13 formed along the top of the main frame 11.

The slot 32 in the underside of the ram terminates in bulkheads 33 and 34 that extend completely across the ram and merge with the walls and top thereof, thus forming an integral structure closed on four sides and along the top. Additional reinforcing of the ram is had by providing inwardly turned side flanges 35, 36 along each side in addition to the bottom flange 37 that forms part of the guides 31. A longitudinally extending rib 38 is provided on the inside of the roof portion to further stiffen the ram in a lengthwise direction. These inwardly extending flanges and ribs merge into the crosswise extending bulkheads 33 and 34 and reinforce those members also. The side walls and roof portion of the ram are additionally reinforced by the provision of a series of arched flanges 39 formed integral with the sides of the ram and with each of the longitudinal flanges 35, 36 and 37 at each side and with the roof rib 38. Within the arched and ribbed cavity remaining in the ram is adjustably mounted the terminal-block element 26 of the ram reciprocating transmission and the means for securing the terminal element to the ram.

In the instant embodiment the terminal block element is formed with pairs of opposed parallel guides 40 along its sides which are closely but slidingly fitted to complementary guides 41 formed along the inner extremities of the inwardly directed side flanges 35. The guide means 40 and 41 support the terminal element against lateral and vertical movement within the ram but provide for relative movement therebetween in a longitudinal directi on which is necessary when one desires to shift the position of the stroke imparted to the ram as the nature of 'the shaping operation may require.

- arouses In 'accordance'with this invention the terminal element 26 of-thepresent embodiment is constructed in the formof a long nut with which a substantial thrust screw 45 is threadably engaged. The screw extends longitudinally of the :ram and isrotatably .but nontranslatahly journaled at its rear end in the rear bulkhead 34. A preferredform ofscrew-anchoringmeans maycomprise two threadedcoilars Errand-45b; positioncdat opposite sidesof the bulkhead v34; The v collar 45:1.is located on-the forward side of the bulkhead and in addition to its-threaded-engage mentflwiththeshaft is pinned thereto also. The other collar 45bis;located at the rear side of the bulkhead and after being rotated on the shaft to obtain a snuganchoring-of, the shaft to -the bulkhead is locked to the shaft by one or more setscrews 45c. When so assembledthe shaft and both collars may rotate together without axial shift. relative to thebullihead. The screw 45 threads throughthe'nut 25 and ;-is rotatably journaled in the forwardpbul-khead 3.3. At the; forward side of the bulkhead a. bevel gear 46 is splined r keyed to the screw shaft 45 by whichthelatter may be rotated The gear 4:- is continuously-meshed by a bevel gear 47 carried at the inner end of a stub shaft 48-thatis journaled in the ram and projects exteriorly therefrom.

The outer end 4? of the shaft 48 is preferably squared toreceivea removable actuating wrench indicated at in;Figure 4. When the wrench is applied to thesquared end 49 and turned, the screw shaft 45 is correspondingly rotated andthe position of the ram relative to the terminal element 26 is changedaccordingly, in order to effect a readjustment of the ram expeditiously and at the same time a positive locking of. the thrust screw with the terminal elementa double acme thread is preferred over a single thread or a V-thread, and to guard against possible creep of the nut along the screw incident tothe shocks of the tooling operation and the reciprocating forces involved in machines of this character, the invention proposes a clamp means effective between the thrust screwand its main nut 26. The clamp, means for the adjusting means is also constructed to be operatcdfrom the forward end of the ram.

In the forrnillustrated in. Figure 3 a secondary nut 51 is threaded on the thrust screw 45 at therear of the main nut and terminal element 26. The secondary nut 51 is provided withgearteeth on its periphery'which. are continuously meshed by the teeth of a gear 52 slidably carried on a parallel arranged shaft 53. The gear 52 is formed with. a sleeve-likehub 54 by which. it is rotatably journaled in an. extension 26a of the mainnut 2s.

Endwise movement of thegear 52'relative to its.mounting is prevented bymeans of snap ring 55 nested in a groove in the hub at one side of the extension 26a. and by the apposed end face of the larger diametered gear at the other side.

jlhe gear 521s internallysplined so as slidingly to receive-the'sirnilarly splined exterior ofthe shaft 53. As herein illustrated the shaft 53 is hexagonal, but it may, of. course, be squared or the parts keyed insuch manner as to provide a slidable connection between the gear and the shaft without relative. rotation therebetween. .The shaft. 53 extends lengthwise the ram and isrotatably but nontra-nslatably -journaled in the forward bulkhead 33 and-rotatablyjournaled and axially restricted in the rear bulkhead 34 as by means of. a pinned-onbushing 56.

The forward-endof the splined shaft 53 carries a wormgear. 57 which istcont-inuously meshed by a Worm 58 that is. cut'upon the inner end of a second stub shaft 59. Theshaft 59 is journaled in the frame and is formed with anzexteriorly projecting squared end 6d, preferably of-thesarne size asshaft 49 so as to accommodate the same-wrench 50. Assuming the parts areassembled as illustrated in Figure 5 a cranking of the shaft ea clockwise or counterclockwise will eifecta corresponding turning of shafts 53, gear 52, and of the secondary or clamp nut 51. When the clamp nut is operatedin a direction such that its forward end face backsv away from the face of the. main-nut and terminalelement, the thrust may be rotated. When the clamp: nut is operated in the opposite directionso as firmly to engage the-end face of the main nuttit then operates. as. a jam nut to clamp the thrust screw against turning in the main nut. Byv placing. the clamp nut at the rear of the main. nut the forwardsides of. the .threads of the mainnntqare brought up tightly against the rearssides of the threads of thethrust screw and a positive metal-tometal;.co nnection -.iS ',S tH.bliShdwhen the ram is propelled forward on the tool cutting stroke.

Ordinarily the angular movement required of the clamp nut 51 from screw-clamped position to screw-unclamped position is somewhat less than a full turn of the crank shaft 60 and to prevent undue turning of the clamp nut in a releasing direction a stop pin and collar device may be employed. .Figures' S and 7 illustrate such adevice and which comprises a .collar 61. encircling the shaft 59 and adjustably secured thereto by means of .a headed screw .62. A stop pin 63 is positioned in the ram outside the collar 61 but within the path of angular travel of the head of the clamp screw 62. By properly correlating the clamped position of the collar on the shaft with relation to, the stop pin. 63' when the clamp nut 51 is in its fully clamped position, the turning of the clamping shaft 60 in. an unclamping direction may be restricted to the desired amount, for example, a half turn, leaving the remaining portion available to. assure full clamping action at alltimes. 1 Shouldthe threads-0f the clamp nut wear slightly or should wear occur; between the end face of the-nut 51 and the abutting face of the terminal nut 26,- the stop collar 6-1-may be released from the actuatingshaft 5916fi andturnecl' to position the head of the clamp screw 62 in the proper new location with-respect to the stop pin 63.

Erom the foregoing it will be seen that an exceptionally rigid ram structure is renderedavailable which. features a positive interlocking of the ram. with .the terminal element'at all times and simple means enabling the operator to adjust the. position .of the ram from his usual working position at the forward. end thereof. .After making such an'adjustment a secureclamping of the parts may be obtained from the same location and in such manner that none of the clamping forces. areborne by the ram itself.

Without further analysis, the foregoing. will so fully tions should be, and are intended to be, comprehended withinthe meaning and range of equivalency ofthe'following claims.

Having thusrevealed this invention, we claim as new and: desire to secure the following combinations and elements, orequivalents thereof, by LettersPatent of the United. States:

1. ha shaping machine comprisingya mainframe, a ram structure mounted for reciprocation along the frame, and. means to reciprocate the ram includingv a terminal element, the-combination of meanspositiveiy interlocking the ram in adjusted position'to the terminalelement or the ram-reciprocating means comprising in part a rotatable screw shaft nontranslatably journaled to the ram. and in part complementary screw threads formed in said terminal element engaged with the threads of the saidscrew shaft, a clamp nut threadably engaged with the threads of said screw shaft adapted upon rotation in one direction to move against. the terminalelement of the reciprocating means to clamp the screw shaft against rotation and when rotated in the opposite direction to move away from the terminal element and release the screw shaft for rotation, and means for. rotating the clamp nut and additional means for rotating the screw shaft when the clamp nutis in released position to effect a repositioning of the ram structure relative to the said terminal element of the reciprocating means.

2. The combination of claim 1 in which said clamp nut is provided with gear teeth around its periphery and the means for rotating the clamp nut includes a pinion gear carried by said terminal element in meshed relation with the gear teeth on the clamp nut and asplined shaft arranged parallel to said screw shaft, said pinion gear having a splined connection with the spiined shaft so as to be capable of rotation. therewith-upon rotation of said splined shaftand of axial movement relative to the splined shaftupon movement of the ram rclativeto the said. terminal element;

3. Thecombination ofclairn 2 in which the means for rotating the splined shaft and clamp nut and for rotatnaledin the ram: and projecting exteriorly therefrom an'd connections between one of said additional shafts and said splined shaft and between the other of said additional shafts and said screw shaft for effecting operation of either selectively.

4. Means for locking the ram of a shaping machine to the terminal element of the ram reciprocating means comprising a rotatable screw shaft journaled to the ram lengthwise thereof and operatively engaged with complemental threads formed in the said terminal element of the reciprocating means, a relatively rotatable clamp nut carried by said screw shaft in cooperative relation with the terminal element and adapted when operated to a clamped position against the terminal element to clamp the screw shaft against rotation, gear teeth on said clamp nut, a pinion gear journaled to the terminal element and engaged with the teeth on the clamp nut, and means positioned at the forward end of the ram for actuating said pinion gear to eifect screw-shaft clamping and unclamping operations and additional means also positioned at the forward end of the ram for rotating the said screw shaft when the latter is unclamped to effect an adjustment in the position of the ram relative to the position of the terminal element.

5. A shaping machine having a main frame, an elongated substantially hollow ram structure closed on four sides and along its top, and means operatively connected with the ram for reciprocating the ram along the frame, the combination of means comprising a terminal element of the ram-reciprocating means mounted within the ram for adjustment longitudinally thereof, a rotatable screw shaft extending longitudinally of the ram and nontranslatably journaled at one of its ends to the ram structure, said screw shaft having a threaded engagement with threads formed in the said terminal element of said ram-reciprocating means, a relatively rotatable clamp nut threaded to said screw shaft at the rear of said terminal element operative when actuated in one direction to clamp said screw against rotation and when actuated in the other direction to release the screw.

shaft for rotation, and means for rotating the screw shaft to effect a readjustment in the position of the ram structure relative to the said terminal element of the ramreciprocating means, means for actuating said clamp nut in a screw-shaft clamping or screw-shaft unclamping direction comprising gear teeth on the periphery of said clamp nut, a splined pinion gear carried by said main nut in meshed relation with the gear teeth on the clamp nut, and a splined shaft arranged parallel to said screw shaft and having a splined connection with said pinion gear for rotating the said pinion, manually operable means located at the forward end of the ram for rotating said splined shaft and separate means located at the forward end of the ram for actuating said screw shaft, said two means including a pair of shafts projecting from the ram and each having a squared end to receive a wrench.

6. In a shaping machine having a ram structure closed on four sides and its top means for adjusting the ram relative to the terminal block element of its reciprocating means and for locking the ram-adjusting means in position, comprising a rotatable screw shaft journaled longitudinally within the ram and rotatably anchored at one end to the ram structure, a threaded terminal-block element engaging the threads of the screw shaft, said terminal block being part of the ram-reciprocating means, guide means provided by and within the ram for guiding and supporting the terminal block, a clamp nut engaged with the threads of said screw shaft in cooperative relation with said terminal block adapted when the clamp nut is actuated to clamp the terminal block, screw shaft, and clamp nut together, means located adjacent the forward end of the ram for actuating said clamp nut, additional means operable from the forward end of the ram for actuating said screw shaft to effect a readjustment in the position of the ram relative to the terminal block, and normally fixed but adjustable means operatively associated with said clamp nut actuating means for limiting the available range of movement thereof.

No references cited. 

